Student activities at Memphis University School that are outside the athletics, dramatics, and academics programs are organized into clubs and groups that carry out projects of interest to their members.
Clubs which have been established in the past include Billiards, Fencing, Ultimate Frisbee, Philosophy, Chess and Pep Club.
Clubs may meet on Wednesday from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. or on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:20 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. The Student Council grants charters to any student groups that can demonstrate sufficient interest in the formation of a club, that can articulate a reasonably serious purpose for existence, and that can secure a faculty advisor who will participate in club activities. The Commissioner of Special Activities monitors activities of the clubs with quarterly reports filed by the club and signed by the faculty advisor. The Council reserves the right to revoke the charter of any club that does not comply with the guidelines set forth by the Council.
The following honorary societies exist at MUS for the purpose of recognizing outstanding achievements by qualified students:
Cum Laude Society
Membership in the Cum Laude Society is the highest academic honor students in a secondary school can receive. Modeled on Phi Beta Kappa, the Society encourages scholarship under the motto, "Excellence, Justice, Honor." The Memphis University School Chapter was chartered on December 14, 1967.
Foreign Language Societies
Instructors in the Foreign Language Department recognize students who have excelled in the study of French, Latin, and Spanish through three national language honorary societies: Société Honoraire de Français, Latin Honor Society, and Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica. The modern language societies reserve membership for those who have completed a minimum of five semesters of study. The Latin Honor Society bestows membership on students who qualify at each level of study. The faculty considers academic achievement as well as a student's enthusiasm for the subject and his classroom comportment in choosing honorees each year.
History Honor Society
Members of the History Department may nominate students at the sophomore level or above for induction into the History Honor Society. A student must have a solid academic performance in history courses with an 85 average or better. He must demonstrate intellectual curiosity in the field, an understanding of interrelationships of historical processes, a love of the discipline, and a pursuit of historical understanding beyond that required by the curriculum. Induction is based on majority vote of the members of the History Department faculty.
Mu Alpha Theta
The purpose of Mu Alpha Theta, an international honorary mathematics club, is to stimulate interest in mathematics by providing public recognition of superior mathematical scholarship and by promoting competitive activities. Membership is reserved for those who have maintained superior scholarship in mathematics over a minimum of five semesters and who have demonstrated an exceptional aptitude and enthusiasm for the pursuit of knowledge in the field of mathematics.
National Honor Society
Attaining membership in the National Honor Society is one of the highest honors that can come to a high school student. Juniors and seniors who have at least a 3.75 cumulative weighted GPA are reviewed by a selection committee for strong evidence of scholarship, character, service, and leadership while at MUS. The committee uses student activity forms and leadership/service questionnaires prepared by the candidates, as well as faculty recommendations and evaluations.
Order of the Owl
The Order of the Owl honors both seventh graders and eighth graders. To be considered, seventh graders must have achieved at least a 90 weighted average, computed from their grades for the first semester and third quarter, excluding P.E. Eighth graders must have achieved at least a 93 weighted average, computed the same way. They must also have demonstrated character consistent with the high standards of the school's Honor Code and Community Creed and must maintain their performance during fourth quarter.
Quill and Scroll
Membership in Quill and Scroll, an international honorary society for high school journalists, is bestowed upon those students who satisfy the high academic requirements of the national organization and receive the recommendation of a faculty advisor for superior work in some phase of journalism or school publications.
Red and Blue Society
The purpose of the Red and Blue Society is to recognize senior students who, in their campus involvement, have demonstrated outstanding leadership or service. A faculty committee appointed by the administration receives nominations from the faculty, the Senior Class, and the administration and recommends qualified students to the Headmaster for his approval.
Societas Caritatis
The Civic Service Organization (CSO) conceived the Societas Caritatis, meaning Society of Charity, to recognize students who have demonstrated outstanding charitable leadership and/or service to the local community. The CSO set the requirements for membership, and each year the CSO Executive Board selects the inductees.
Springfield Scholars
The Springfield Scholars, named in memory of the first Lower School principal, John Murry Springfield, is the most esteemed honor society in the Lower School. An eighth grader qualifies for induction if he is in the top ten percent of his class based on a weighted GPA. In addition, he must have demonstrated character consistent with the high standards of the school's Honor Code and Community Creed, and he must maintain his performance during fourth quarter.
Wilson Society
The Wilson Society was established in 2005 to give seniors an opportunity to demonstrate their full grasp of the seven tenets of the MUS Community Creed – Truth and Honor, Scholarship, Service, Respect, Humility, Involvement, and Accountability. Celebrating the legacy of Kemmons Wilson, founder of Holiday Inn and Memphis philanthropist, the Wilson Society exists to foster leadership and service. Involvement with Lower School students is a key area of the society's leadership and service. The society is now open to underclassmen as well as seniors.